Valdez, Mary

Born March 25, 1943, in Rock Springs, Wyo., to Luanna and Clay Benson, she lived in Utah as a child and moved to California as a teenager. She attended nursing school and became a registered nurse, which she practiced until 1975. Later she worked in the U.S. Postal Service. In 1989, she moved to Raton. For several years she was employed at the local Kmart as a manager. She worked at the Family Dollar store in Raton until 2001 when she transferred to the Portales store to make her home closer to her sons.

Family members said she was a devoted mother and was close to her grandsons. They said she was generous and always wanted to carry the burdens for her children and those close to her. She was also a hard-working and fun-loving lady who always liked a good practical joke or surprise, according to family members. Her hobbies included crocheting, sewing and crafts.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Max Valdez.

Survivors include two sons, Jeremy Valdez (and wife, Natasha) of Portales and Josh Valdez (Kacee) of Clovis; her grandchildren, Iszac and Ezra Valdez; her brother, Ben Benson of Salt Lake City; and her sisters, Phyllis Ashton and Debbie Kidman, both of Provo, Utah, and Lynda Bianco of Reno, Nev.

The family welcomes phone calls and visits to their home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 90790, Albuquerque, NM 87199-0790.